Both games were expected to be tense and tight affairs that would go right to the wire - but what transpired was anything but tight as both Dublin sides clinically and emphatically dispatched their opponents

What a weekend it was for Dublin football supporters as they celebrated both the Dublin Senior Ladies and Men's football squads' emphatic All Ireland semi final victories.

Mick Bohan's Dublin Ladies team faced off against Kerry on Saturday evening in Semple Stadium in Thurles looking to reach their fourth All Ireland Final in a row. And yesterday afternoon Jim Gavin's Dublin side went toe to toe with Tyrone in Croke Park with their sights firmly fixed on another final appearance and a third successive championship title.

Both games were expected to be tense and tight affairs that would go right to the wire - but what transpired was anything but tight as both Dublin sides clinically and emphatically dispatched their opponents.

A rain shower just before throw-in on Saturday evening in Semple Stadium did nothing to dampen a fired-up Dublin ladies side who came bursting out of the blocks. Dublin captain Sinead Aherne led by example and inside the opening five minutes had given her side a three-point lead.

Kerry, who had been free scoring coming into the game, came up against a ravenous Dublin defensive unit superbly marshalled by Sinead Finnegan and Rachel Ruddy.

They constantly hassled and harried Kerry players in possession and when they weren't turning over the ball, the sky blue defenders were forcing the girls from The Kingdom into rushed shots under pressure and they began to rack up the wides.

The beginning of the end for Kerry arrived in the 16th minute, Dublin cut through the heart of the green and gold defence and Sinead Aherne - after a clever one-two with Niamh McEvoy - slotted the ball to the net for the game's opening goal.

Kerry battled bravely to the end and did have a short spell of dominance midway through the second half. But they just couldn't create enough scoring opportunities against a rock solid Dubs defence. They did create one goal opportunity late in the game, but the goal bound effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Dublin's number one Ciara Trant.

From the resultant kick out Dublin swiftly clicked through the gears and Noelle Healy put the icing on the cake with her side' fifth goal of the contest. It was left to Sinead Goldrick to finish off the scoring with a well-taken point as Dublin ran out comfortable winners by 14 points with the final score 5-10 to 0-11.

Dublin will face either Cork or Mayo in September's showpiece final with Mick Bohan's charges aiming to win the county's first title in seven years.

Yesterday afternoon's highly anticipated clash between Dublin and Tyrone in Croke Park was billed as the indomitable force against the immovable object.

It was expected to be a titanic battle, Mickey Harte's team's suffocating blanket defence and lightning quick counter attacking style was in many experts' eyes going to cause Jim Gavin's team plenty of problems.

Many even predicted that Tyrone were going to end Dublin's three in a row dream.

Dublin made a mockery of those predictions as they simply tore the Red Hand county's blanket defence to shreds in a patient, clinical and powerful display that was, particularly in the first half, the most complete team performance ever by a Dublin side.

From 1 to 15 the boys in blue were just awesome and the game was won inside the opening five minutes when Con O'Callaghan scored one of the goals of the season.

That goal put Tyrone onto the back foot and they never recovered. Micky Harte's game plan only works if his side can get in front and the opposition get sucked into bringing the ball into contact where it can be turned over for Tyrone to counter attack at speed and pick teams off.

Dublin never fell into that trap and instead constantly moved the ball quickly from player to player and patiently prodded and probed for openings as Tyrone pulled all 15 players behind the ball.

Tyrone barely laid a hand on a Dublin player all day and looked bereft of ideas throughout. When they did get forward they were met by a Dublin defence that was ferocious in the tackle and it's hard to remember the last time that a Mickey Harte side was turned over as much as they were yesterday.

By the break, Dublin led by seven points with the scoreline reading 1-09 to 0-05. Tyrone looked dazed and confused leaving the field of play and needed to change things up for the second half as Plan A wasn't working.

But as it turned out they only had a Plan A and bar the opening three minutes of the second period when they pushed a couple of players further forward in an effort to do something different, they quickly reverted to their defensive set up and then it wasn't a matter of if Dublin would win, but by how many.

The Metropolitan's pace, power, passing accuracy, angles of running and patience in possession opened up Tyrone time after time.

Gavin sensed the Tyrone backs were tiring and sent on Flynn, O'Gara and McManamon to finish the job.

The direct running from McManamon almost payed dividends as the St Jude's player cut inside two defenders and unleashed a shot that unluckily cannoned back off the crossbar. Flynn made his presence felt with two excellent long range points as the Dubs continued to press for home.

Another swift Dublin attack ended with Jack McCaffrey in unmarked one on one with the keeper, but the Clontarf flyer blasted his shot wide.

Dublin finally got their second goal when Darren Daly hand-passed the ball across the face of the Tyrone goal for Eoghan O'Gara to palm the ball to the net.

That was game set and match but there was still time for a little pantomime moment and a little late drama.

With his 12-week ban finally over, Dublin fans were anticipating the return of Diarmuid Connolly. The St Vincent's man was spotted warming up on the sideline and minutes later the stadium erupted with the sight of a dark haired player about to enter the fray. Chants of Dermo, Dermo rang around GAA headquarters.

Those chants and roars turned to laugher when everyone realised it wasn't the Marino star entering the game but Eric Lowndes. Fans though finally got their wish in the final minute of the game when Connolly finally took to field.

The last piece of drama occurred in injury time when Tyrone were awarded a penalty after Colm Cavanagh fell to the ground after minimal contact from Philly McMahon.

Up stepped Peter Harte to take the spot kick, but Stephen Cluxton dived to his right and saved the shot which brought the biggest roar of the day.

It's Mayo up next for Dublin in the All Ireland Final in three weeks, and it will be a different type of game altogether. But on yesterday's performance Dublin look like they are primed for the final and the Mayo players, management and supporters watching how easily Dublin dismantled Tyrone must be feeling a little apprehensive about what they will face in three weeks.